Page 23 of Night's Fall
Chapter5
No Contact
My space might have beenPre-Uni, but it had still been modernized.
There was a welcome kiosk in the vestibule.Andsomeone was in it, ringing up to my flat.
I turned to the bed display on my nightstand and saw it was before seven in the morning.
Okay.
I could see one of my friends hearing about my chat withPrinceAlekseiand showing up to get all the hot deets, butIwished they’d waited another five hours…or just sent an excited text comm.
Not wanting to give whoever it was a visual of me lying in bed,Ididn’t answer the ring on my nightstand display.
I shoved the covers aside, feeling foggy and vaguely nauseous from lack of sleep.
I shambled to the door, calling, “Okay, okay,I’mcoming!” even though another part of the warehouse’s modernization had been sound and scent proofing, and whoever was visiting was two floors down.Iwaved a hand in front of the display beside the door, and ordered, “Activatecamera.”
The blank window shifted to a digital ofAllain, the prince’s whatever he was.
I stared at the display.
“Meow!”Cometdemanded his breakfast.
Allain moved and the ringer went again.
Through stiff lips,Iordered, “Engagewelcome.”Ithen said, “CanIhelp you?”
Allain tipped his head back soIreceived his full face in the camera.
“I come at behest of the prince.”
Behest?
Who talked like that?
Yeesh.Thisdude was a trip.
“It’s early.I’min my pajamas,”Itold him.
“It’s seven in the morning, most of theRealmis either at school, at work or on their way to work.”
“Lucky me,Iwork from home and make my own hours.”
Sometimes.
“We can carry on this conversation with me in the vestibule, or you can allow me up,” he parried. “Yourapparel is of no consequence to me.However, the prince does wish for me to leave you with something.”Apause before, “Iwon’t be long.”
CouldIget out of this?
IfIrefused him entry, would royal guards come storming in to force me to talk to this guy and accept whatever the prince wanted to leave me?
I didn’t suspect they’d go that far.
No, whatIsaid next was all about my infernal curiosity.
“Allow entry.”IwatchedAllainmove into the stairway after my command gave him access. “Opendoor,”Ifinished.
